If you are a PC enthusiast, gamer, or content creator, you might be wondering which graphics card to buy: the Nvidia RTX 3080 or the RTX 4080. Both cards are part of the GeForce RTX series, which is based on the new Ada Lovelace architecture that promises significant performance improvements over the previous generation.
However, there are also some key differences between the two cards that might affect your decision. In this blog post, I will compare the RTX 3080 and the RTX 4080 in terms of specifications, features, performance, price, and availability and help you decide which one is best suited for your needs.
Specifications
The RTX 3080 and the 4080 are both high-end graphics cards that offer impressive specs. However, the 4080 has a clear advantage over the 3080 in terms of clock speeds, memory, and power consumption. Here is a table that summarizes the main specifications of the two cards:
| Specification | RTX 3080 | RTX 4080 |
| Architecture | Ampere | Ada Lovelace |
| GPU | GA102 | AD102 |
| Process | 8nm | 5nm |
| CUDA Cores | 8,704 | 18,432 |
| Tensor Cores | 272 | 576 |
| RT Cores | 68 | 144 |
| Base Clock | 1,440 MHz | 1,800 MHz |
| Boost Clock | 1,710 MHz | 2,100 MHz |
| Memory | 10 GB GDDR6X | 16 GB GDDR6X |
| Memory Bus | 320-bit | 384-bit |
| Memory Speed | 19 Gbps | 21 Gbps |
| Bandwidth | 760 GB/s | 1,008 GB/s |
| TDP | 320 W | 350 W |
| Power Connectors | 2 x 8-pin | 3 x 8-pin |
| Price | $699 | $999 |
As you can see, the RTX 4080 has twice as many CUDA cores, Tensor cores, and RT cores as the RTX 3080, which means it can handle more parallel computations, ray tracing, and deep learning tasks.
The RTX 4080 also has higher clock speeds, more memory, and a wider memory bus, which translates to faster performance and higher resolutions.
However, the RTX 4080 also consumes more power and requires more power connectors, which might limit its compatibility with some power supplies and cases. The RTX 4080 is also more expensive than the RTX 3080, which might be a factor for some budget-conscious buyers.
It is also important to note that both GPUs can be overclocked, which can significantly improve their performance. You can also undervolt them to reduce power consumption.
Features
Both the RTX 3080 and the 4080 support the same features that Nvidia offers for its GeForce RTX cards, such as:
Ray Tracing
This is a technique that simulates realistic lighting effects by tracing the path of light rays and how they interact with objects in a scene. Ray tracing can create stunning visuals, such as reflections, shadows, and global illumination, but it is also very demanding on the GPU.
Nvidia’s RT cores are dedicated hardware units that accelerate ray tracing calculations, making it possible to enable ray tracing in real-time gaming and rendering. Nvidia’s RTX series are incredible for 4K, 1080p, and 1440p gaming and are a superb choice due to their superb features.
DLSS
This stands for Deep Learning Super Sampling, which is a technology that uses artificial intelligence to upscale lower-resolution images to higher-resolution ones while maintaining or improving image quality.
DLSS can boost frame rates and enable higher resolutions and settings without sacrificing performance. Nvidia’s Tensor cores are specialized hardware units that accelerate deep learning operations, making DLSS possible.
Nvidia Broadcast
This is a suite of software tools that enhance your audio and video quality for streaming, video conferencing, and content creation. Nvidia Broadcast uses AI to remove background noise, add virtual backgrounds, auto-frame your webcam, and more.
Nvidia Broadcast works with any microphone, webcam, or headset that you have and leverages the power of your RTX GPU to run the AI algorithms.
Nvidia Reflex
This is a feature that reduces system latency, which is the time it takes for your actions to be reflected on the screen. Nvidia Reflex optimizes the communication between your CPU, GPU, and monitor and enables you to react faster and more accurately in competitive games.
Nvidia Reflex works with select monitors that support Nvidia G-Sync and Nvidia Reflex Latency Analyzer, which measure and display your system latency. However, the RTX 4080 has an edge over the 3080 in terms of some features, such as:
DLSS 3.0
This is the latest version of DLSS, which is expected to launch with the RTX 40 series. DLSS 3.0 is said to be more versatile and compatible than previous versions, as it can work with any game that supports temporal anti-aliasing (TAA) without requiring per-game training or integration.
DLSS 3.0 is also said to offer better image quality and performance than DLSS 2.0, which is already impressive.
PCIe 5.0
This is the latest generation of the PCI Express interface, which connects your GPU to your motherboard and other components. PCIe 5.0 offers double the bandwidth of PCIe 4.0, which means faster data transfer and lower latency.
PCIe 5.0 is also backward compatible with previous generations of PCIe, so you don’t have to worry about compatibility issues. However, to take full advantage of PCIe 5.0, you will need a motherboard and a CPU that support it, which might not be widely available at launch.
Performance
The RTX 3080 and the 4080 are both powerful graphics cards that can handle any game or application at high settings and resolutions. However, the RTX 4080 is clearly faster and more capable, thanks to its superior specs and features. Here are some benchmarks that show the performance difference between the two cards in some popular games and applications:
| Game/Application | Resolution | Settings | RTX 3080 FPS | RTX 4080 FPS |
| Cyberpunk 2077 | 4K | Ultra + RTX | 31.3 | 52.1 |
| Doom Eternal | 4K | Ultra Nightmare | 103.5 | 156.7 |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 4K | Ultra | 60.1 | 86.4 |
| Shadow of the Tomb Raider | 4K | Highest + RTX | 62.8 | 94.3 |
| 3DMark Time Spy | 4K | Default | 13,567 | 20,432 |
| Blender BMW27 | 4K | Default | 55.3 s | 34.2 s |
As you can see, the RTX 4080 delivers significantly higher frame rates and scores than the RTX 3080 in both gaming and rendering scenarios, especially when ray tracing and DLSS are enabled.
The RTX 4080 can easily handle 4K gaming at 60 FPS or higher, while the 3080 might struggle to maintain a smooth gameplay experience at such a demanding resolution. The 4080 also offers faster rendering times and better performance for content creation and professional workloads, thanks to its higher CUDA core count and memory bandwidth.
The Verdict
The RTX 3080 and the 4080 are both excellent graphics cards that offer amazing performance and features for PC enthusiasts, gamers, and content creators. However, the RTX 4080 is clearly superior to the 3080 in every aspect.
The RTX 4080 is faster, more capable, and more future-proof than the RTX 3080, but it is also more expensive and harder to find. Therefore, the choice between the two cards depends on your budget, your needs, and your patience.
If you have the money and the luck to get an RTX 4080, you will not regret it. It is a fantastic graphics card that can handle any game or application at the highest settings and resolutions, with ray tracing and DLSS enabled.
The RTX 4080 will also last you longer and give you more headroom for future upgrades and enhancements. If you are on a tighter budget, the RTX 3080 is still a great option. It is a powerful graphics card that can run most games and applications at high settings and resolutions, with ray tracing and DLSS enabled.
The RTX 3080 is also more affordable and more available than the 4080, although you might still have to pay more than the MSRP or wait for a long time to get one. The RTX 3080 is not as fast or as future-proof as the 4080, but it is still a very capable and impressive card.
In case your budget is too low for these cards, you can opt for some less expensive options, such as Radeon RX 6600 or RTX 3060. Both of these cards still hold up pretty well in 2024.
FAQs
Can the RTX 4080 be used in a system originally built for a 3080 without additional upgrades?
Yes, it can replace the RTX 3080 in most systems, but you may need to upgrade the power supply and ensure sufficient space and cooling due to its higher power consumption and larger size.
Is the RTX 4080 a better choice for VR gaming compared to the RTX 3080?
Yes, the RTX 4080’s superior performance, higher frame rates, and advanced features make it a better choice for VR gaming, providing a smoother and more immersive VR experience.
How does the RTX 3080 perform in terms of power efficiency compared to the RTX 4080?
The RTX 3080 is more power-efficient, requiring less power and fewer power connectors, making it a better choice for systems with limited power supply capabilities.
Are there any specific games where the performance difference between the two cards is most noticeable?
The performance difference is most noticeable in graphically intensive games, like AAA titles with high-resolution textures and ray tracing, where the RTX 4080’s superior specs provide smoother gameplay and higher frame rates.
For users primarily interested in content creation, is the RTX 4080 significantly better than the RTX 3080?
Yes, for content creation, the RTX 4080’s higher CUDA core count and memory bandwidth offer faster rendering times and better overall performance, making it a more suitable choice for professional workloads.
Will the RTX 3080 continue to receive driver updates and support for new games as long as the RTX 4080?
Both cards will continue to receive driver updates and support for new games for several years. However, the RTX 4080, being newer, might receive longer support in terms of new features and optimizations.
Final Words
I hope this blog post has helped you compare the RTX 3080 and the 4080 and decide which one is right for you. If you have any questions or feedback, please leave a comment below. Thank you for reading, and enjoy!